Search - Pedro the Lion :: It's Hard to Find a Friend

The most underrated band in christian music today

Ana (lorv0001@tc.umn.edu) | St Louis Park, MN | 08/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"judging from their reception at cornerstone 99, pedro is not the unknown band they once were. the show was packed out and their new ep sold out once again - just like last year at the same fest, the same tent...trying to get my hands on the ep was really hard to do! i searched from july of 98 till march of this year for this lp. and it was worth the search! their style is minimalist, but their lyrics are so right on! songs like "big trucks" and "when they really get to know you they will run" go beyond the normal christian music fare. they're not getting radio play, but they don't need it. they have a following all over this country...and news spreads by word of mouth. another plus is, is if you write to them, they'll send you something back! (try and find out....) they aren't rock stars....they're pedro. and that's just darned irresistable..."

Excellent lyrics

philster | Georgia | 10/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time you hear this, you may hate it, but keep trying. Pedro is not the most accessible band out there. In fact, I'd say that out of all the songs on here, the only ones that musically jumped out at me at first were "Promise", "Big Trucks", and "When They Really...". However, after about four listens, you'll remember all of these amazingly simple and amazingly catchy songs, and find yourself singing right along. And really, this isn't even about the music as much as the lyrics, which are beautiful. They're straightforward stories that offer hope and give a glimpse of God's love to our hurting world, yet they also have an authenticity that other artists usually don't convey, particularly other Christian artists. I highly reccomend tyring this album out, you'll fall in love."

Crushingly beautiful every time

J. Frank | San Francisco | 07/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Bazan (and his "band") performs live in Chicago sometimes, and while his fans are often crazed, Bazan is anything but. "Does anybody... have any questions?" he'll mumble into his microphone, squinting into the dark.And Bazan's music is no different. Always shy, low-key, often dismal, and sometimes wildly humorous, his simple melodies and spoken-word style lyrics never fail to leave listeners startled at their own rush of sympathy. It's Hard to Find a Friend chronicles Bazan's struggle to keep from backsliding into a past full of addictions when his own world -- and his most beloved -- seemed to be falling apart.Harder than finding a friend, of course, is finding real *sincerity* and worth in today's indie rock scene, what with tongues perpetually in cheek and emotions permanently in check. Even so-called "emo" bands have contrived, phony words, and manufactured emotions sulk behind every riff.David Bazan is a true contrast to those falsehoods. His music is straight-up folk, somehow belying a certain torment resting in its punk rock roots. And Bazan himself is a real blessing: while he IS world-wise, he is by no means world-WORN. Pedro the Lion's frontman leaves cynicism on the stoop; his songs are a testament to faith that the broken human spirit can heal, endure, and prevail."